March 8, 2014 - I Am Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #67

“Love created me like itself.”

When I took class instruction in Christian Science, one of my classmates was having trouble understanding divine Love. Mary Baker Eddy gives  seven synonymous terms for God: Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. We had many conversations about this during the 12 days we exclusively studied and learned about divine Science. He finally saw that he was thinking in terms of human love, hence he couldn't understand how God could be this emotion. While I can intellectually know that I am created by Love, which is my essence as the expression of God, sometimes it's difficult to feel.  And then I remember that Love created all that is real. My mortal thoughts often have nothing to do with reality. So I concentrate on what I know as reality, as Truth, as God. And often holding on to one spiritual truth is enough to allow me to remember what I've forgotten. There's nothing like a baby -- a baby person, animal -- particularly puppies! -- to remind us what pure Love looks like. So if you feel you're lacking in love, go play with puppies! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal and divine Mind presents the idea of God: first, in light; second, in reflection; third, in spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness. But this Mind creates no element nor symbol of discord and decay. God creates neither erring thought, mortal life, mutable truth, nor variable love."

Science & Health Page 503:20-25

March 7, 2014 - Knowing the Truth

ACIM Workbook Lesson #66:

“My happiness and my function are one.”

Truth, in all its forms, has always been very important to me. Having this great love of truth, it came as quite a surprise to find out that the life I'd lived for 37 years, the name I'd used, the birthdate I'd celebrated, the people I'd called my mom and dad, were not the ones I'd been given at birth. When I was two months old, my parents took me from a niece who was 17 and had given birth with no one to help her. Her boyfriend had skipped over the border into Mexico. Her family ignored her, in an effort to convince her to give away her baby. After two months of being on her own, she relented and gave me to her aunt -- which is what her family had wanted all along. These wonderful people (who were the only parents I had ever known) then moved across the country and made a new beginning for us all. They did this in part to save this baby from the flood of criticism and judgment which accompanied a child born out of wedlock in the 1950s. Perhaps it was their living of this huge lie which caused them to instill truthfulness so solidly within me. For whatever reason, I am thankful to have it. Because of this love of Truth, I've always wanted to know it -- in every way. But in the past two decades, it's taken the form of spiritual Truth, which shows me my function and is my happiness. And it has set me free!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it."

Science & Health Page 57:18-21

March 6, 2014 - One Thing ...

ACIM Workbook Lesson #65:

“My only function is the one God gave me.”

As a restless, young person, I resisted the only thing which was required in order to experience peace. I thought that to live in Spirit would be predictable and boring. Twenty years past that time, I find that everything is exciting and new! Without the willingness to be open to the field of all possibilities, I would be repeating by-rote behaviors and following learned beliefs. That, I now see, is what would be boring! By being willing to go inward and listen, I'm never sure of what I will say or do, but I'm confident of where that guidance will lead. On the occasions I forget to listen but hold forth with long-held, strong opinions, things don't usually work out in the same harmonious ways as they do when I'm willing to yield. And that is a strong reminder to remember that I, of my own self, know nothing. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace."

Science & Health Page 265:10-15

March 5, 2014 - Breaking Free From Belief

ACIM Workbook Lesson #64:

"Let me not forget my function"

Have you ever been accused of something you did not do? An unjust charge carries with it a terrible feeling. This same feeling follows many of us around because we have been told that we were born sinners and there is nothing we can do about it. We have come to believe it is our function on this earth to try ever so hard to overcome this innate badness. Isn't it a wonderful thing to experience teachings which show us that this is not true? The understanding of our essence as the pure expression of God, and the realization that anything unlike this experience is a material illusion brought to us courtesy of tainted human beliefs, frees us to be happy. Gone is all the guilt we may have carried around, thinking we were condemned by a power from which we couldn't escape. There has been no condemnation by any power, only illusionary powers to which we have given credence. Breaking free from these beliefs, we are free to be happy, healthy, whole -- and we bloom! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Whatever indicates the fall of man or the opposite of God or God’s absence, is the Adam-dream, which is neither Mind nor man, for it is not begotten of the Father. The rule of inversion infers from error its opposite, Truth; but Truth is the light which dispels error. As mortals begin to understand Spirit, they give up the belief that there is any true existence apart from God." 

Science & Health Page 282:28:3 

March 4, 2014 - Our Light-Bearing, Peaceful Function

"Snow Shadows"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #63

“The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.”

Once we realize something is ours, then we are free to give it away. Once we realize something is ours, it is everyone's by virtue of our unity as expressions of God. Every time we choose peace, rather than joining with someone in anger or agitation, we have exercised our light-bringing peaceful function. I used to think it was impolite not to listen when someone wanted to tell me things I didn't need to hear. For instance, today a neighbor began to tell me of a situation where another neighbor had said things to him which hurt his feelings. As I realized he wasn't going to stop, but wanted to talk about it and speculate about why she was horrible, I simply said, "Wait. I'm not going to go there with you." Looking back on the conversation, I wonder why I didn't say this years ago! I no longer think it's impolite to speak the truth. Why should I listen to this any more readily than I would, for instance, watch a horror movie? I'll just say no!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress."

Science & Health Page 324:3-5

March 3, 2014 - This Never-Ending Adventure

"London Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #62:

"Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world."

"I wish I'd known about this way of thought earlier in life," a friend said to me. He was concerned that he wouldn't have enough time to assimilate this Truth he is learning. So many responses came to mind that I chose to say none of them. Time -- what a concept! We are eternal, so how can there not be enough time to realize something we've always known? Yes, that does sound rather esoteric, or perhaps a bit "woo-woo" -- but doesn't it seem true? I know I've mentioned this Deepak Chopra quote before, but it bears repeating: "Time is something we've made up so everything doesn't happen all at once." Looked at in this way, don't we already know everything that ever has been or every will be? This is our function: to remember. And through forgiveness, we grasp our strength as the expression and experience of God. With that knowledge of our true Self, we open the gates of understanding in all areas of existence. There are no limits as to time and space. We have the ability to grasp concepts, to actualize ideas, and to function as the light of the world. The lovely thing about this is, no matter how much I think I know, there is always more to this never-ending adventure! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "The divine demand, 'Be ye therefore perfect,' is scientific, and the human footsteps leading to perfection are indispensable. Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; . . .walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement. God requires perfection,but not until the battle between Spirit and flesh is fought and the victory won. To stop eating, drinking, or being clothed materially before the spiritual facts of existence are gained step by step, is not legitimate. When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs1 our path. Imperfect mortals grasp the ultimate of spiritual perfection slowly; but to begin aright and to continue the strife of demonstrating the great problem of being, is doing much." Science & Health Page 253:32-15

March 2, 2014 - I Am Light

ACIM Workbook Lesson #61:

“I am the light of the world”

The understanding that we are all "the light of the world" is liberating! So often when we catch glimpses of our light, we deny the sight in the name of humility, or a false sense of sinfulness, or perhaps because we can't accept something so perfect about ourselves. We are learning that true humility is accepting our divine function and proudly reflecting light, never hiding under a guise of smallness. This light is demonstrated in many ways, often contrary to what we've been taught.  Personally, I find that letting my light shine means nothing other than listening for guidance and following through with what I hear. And how do I know that what I hear is not my ego wanting something? If it is, I feel uncomfortable with it, so I step back and start again. If it feels perfect, if it blesses everyone, then I follow through with confidence that it's divinely inspired. Sometimes the perfect, light-reflecting solution simply seems too difficult to do, so I try to convince myself it's an ego-based thought and refuse to do it. Ha! Once again, I go back to how I feel when sitting quietly. Experience has taught me to be ever-alert, as my ego really likes to masquerade as an ell-knowing presence. But the quietude where we may feel our unity with God always exposes the charade -- if I let it.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Light: Symbol of Truth; revelation and progress."

Science & Health Page 591:23-24